Clark D. Garland, professor at the University of Tennessee, has received the 2010 National Award for Excellence in Extension for the Southern region from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.

The award is presented annually to an individual who has strived throughout his or her career to make significant impacts on those who are served by Extension. The award was presented to Garland in Dallas, Texas, at the association’s annual meeting in November.

“It is an honor to receive this award,” Garland says. “The award is given to an individual, but it is a recognition of UT Extension as a whole. I give credit to Extension agents and area farm management specialists. They do a great job with Tennessee’s farm families.”

Garland developed and led the highly successful MANAGE program, which  provides specialists who work directly with Extension agents and farm families to improve farmer’s economic, social and environmental conditions.

More than 18,000 farm families in Tennessee have benefited from the MANAGE program, which has been recognized as among the strongest and most effective in the nation.

Garland has served UT Extension in agricultural economics for more than 39 years, is the original coordinator of MANAGE, and chairs the Tennessee Biofuels Initiative Farmer Education Team. He has anticipated emerging issues, excels at Extension programming, and continues to provide visionary leadership.

“Dr. Clark Garland has served as a highly effective leader for farm financial management programs in Tennessee and throughout the country,” says Tim Cross, dean of UT Extension. “The MANAGE program has made a significant difference in the lives of many farm families — helping them make informed decisions that improve their income and reduce risk. Clark knows how to bring out the best in people through his dedication to teamwork and his commitment to research-based education.”